Brisbane: Ghost Paradise, the first-ever Malayalam feature film made in Queensland, will premiere on November 27 at Event Cinemas, Brisbane, and will subsequently be screened in various theatres across Queensland.
Around twenty-six Australian Malayali artists are making their film debut through Ghost Paradise.
This is the first Malayalam film from Queensland, featuring newcomers trained in filmmaking under Joy K. Mathew, prominent Malayalam film actors from Kerala, and professionals from the Australian film and television industry.
Ghost Paradise is the nineteenth creative work of Joy K. Mathew, who has been active in the Australian film industry for the past seventeen years and is known for his socially conscious films. Among his notable works is the documentary “Salute the Nations,” created with contributors from 75 countries.
The film is being released under the banner of Global Malayalam Cinema, with the support of the Australian Malayalam Film Industry.
Shot across Kerala and Queensland, the film features Joy K. Mathew, Kailash, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Sohan Seenulal, Saju Kodiyan, Molly Kannamaly, Leelakrishnan, Ambika Mohan, Pauly Valsan, Kulappulli Leela, Taso, and Alana in lead roles.
Debuting through the film are Shamon, Saju, Joby, Jobish, Shaji, Mary, Indu, Asha, Jayalakshmi, Marshal, Surya, Ramya, Paulose, Tessa, Sreelakshmi, Sheeja, Thomas, Jose, Shibu, Raji, Jibi, Sajini, Aloshi, Thankam, Jinsi, and Sathi—a group of twenty-six new performers stepping onto the silver screen for the first time.
The story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction of Ghost Paradise—a film rich with humour, uniqueness, and heartfelt human experiences—are by Joy K. Mathew.
The creative team includes Adam K. Anthony, Sally Moyideen (cinematography), Elizabeth, Jennifer, Mahesh Cherthala (makeup), Michael Mathson, Shaji Koonammavu (costumes), Dr. Rekha Rani, Sanju Sukumaran (music), Geeth Karthika, Balaji (art direction), Shabu Paul (stills), Salim Bava (stunt choreography), Linson Raphael (editing), Jubin Raj (sound mixing), C. R. Sajay (colorist), K. J. Mathew Kaniyamparambil (executive producer), Jijo Jose (finance controller), Claire, Jose Varapuzha (production controllers), Radhakrishnan Cheleri (production executive), and crews from Motherland Kochi, Mother Vision, Lens Mark 4 Media Ernakulam (camera), Shibin C. Babu (poster design), Davis Varghese (production manager), and Nithin Nandakumar (animation).
Among Australian Malayalis are thousands of individuals with exceptional artistic and literary talent. However, opportunities to develop or showcase their abilities remain limited—mostly confined to small platforms during Onam, Christmas, New Year celebrations, and similar occasions. To overcome this barrier and provide a stage for talent while creating job opportunities in film and art, actor-writer-cinematographer-director and world-record holder Joy K. Mathew envisioned and launched several initiatives.
Over the last three years, he has successfully conducted Queensland’s first formal film training programme, guiding many individuals into the world of cinema.
By establishing a Malayalam film environment in Australia similar to that in Kerala, significant opportunities are being created for artists in both regions. This model can also serve as an example for Malayali artists living in other parts of the world.
Joy K. Mathew stated that screening Malayalam films with English subtitles in Australian theatres—featuring artists from Australia, Kerala, and other countries—will help strengthen Kerala’s presence in the Australian film industry.
For the first time in Australian history, a clear and focused effort is being made to build a Malayalam film culture on foreign soil.
The film-training initiative in Queensland began in 2022 with the aim of nurturing and supporting Malayali talent living abroad, providing opportunities in cinema, and offering deeper knowledge of various film disciplines.
Joy K. Mathew is the Chairman of Global Malayalam Cinema, the Chairman of the Australian Malayalam Film Industry, and the President of AMLA, an organisation of Australian film professionals. He is also the founder of the Australian Malayalam Film Industry.
On November 27, at the grand premiere of ‘Ghost Paradise’, prominent figures from Australia’s film, arts, literature, cultural, theatre, dance, and spiritual communities will be in attendance.
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